Cherry recalled from Triple-A Norfolk

Right-handed reliever replaces Bradford on Orioles' roster

By Amanda Comak / MLB.com

BALTIMORE -- Faced with a vacancy on their roster due to Thursday's trade of veteran reliever Chad Bradford to the Rays for a player to be named later, the Orioles recalled Rocky Cherry from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Cherry, a 28-year-old right-hander, was 0-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 28 games for the Tides, running up a string of four consecutive scoreless outings.

"I had a couple days off, and I thought for sure I'd throw [Thursday]," Cherry said. "When I didn't throw last night, I kind of figured that it might be my time.

"I've just been throwing strikes. I kept working hard and good things have been happening. It's just gotten to the point where I got an opportunity here."

Cherry, who began the season on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain, has been impressive in the Minors lately, allowing just two earned runs over his past 21 2/3 innings, striking out 22 and walking six.

Cherry and manager Dave Trembley seem unsure about the right-hander's specific role in the bullpen. Though he pitched three innings in an outing once this year, Cherry was more of a one- or two-inning pitcher at Norfolk.

"Obviously, Bradford did a great job when he was here," Trembley said before Friday's game with the Rangers. "We're going to go with younger players and we're going to give guys opportunities.

"The reasons why he moved Bradford, I think, is online with what the philosophy is on this team going into next year. And I don't really have a problem with any of it, because we'll be able to adjust, and I think it's always nice when you give other guys opportunity."

Cherry, who made 22 Major League appearances with the Orioles and Cubs last season, is hoping to make the most of this opportunity in Baltimore. The right-hander credited his recent strong stats for allowing him to stand out among what he said was a talented pool of pitchers in the Orioles' system.

"I think it's just really my numbers," Cherry said. "We've got a lot of guys down there who've got great arms and great stuff. For me, it was going out there and repeating good outing after good outing, and after I did that, they kind of said, 'Hey, let's give him a shot.'"

Amanda Comak is an associate reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.